Special Golf Swing Training Aid

ABSTRACT

This is an Improved Golf Practice Device usable for practice under replicated golfing conditions. It relates to a golf practice device with a retrievable tethered ball and which is usable for practice under replicated golfing conditions. It is made of a golf club grip; an inner dowel shaft for grip; an insert in the dowel shaft; a manner for retaining such as an insert; a flexible cord, rope or the like such as a parachute cord; a manner for retaining cord in shaft such as a washer and knot in cord; a spherical resistance device such as a whiffle ball or the like wherein the device provides a training aid for a golfer to improve his normal golf swing, cadence, and timing rhythm throughout the golf swing using all of one&#39;s body parts, the leg movement, the arms, the wrists, everything when one swings through the stroke.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application with Ser. No. 62/268,625 filed Dec. 17, 2015 by Troy Tuttle and entitled “A Special Golf Swing Training Aid”.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to an Improved Golf Practice Device usable for practice under replicated golfing conditions. This invention relates to a golf practice device with a retrievable tethered ball and which is usable for practice under replicated golfing conditions. The present invention relates to a sport training device, and more particularly to a golf swing training device and a method of using the same.

The Special Golf Swing Training Aid is a readily made and available product to assist improvement of a swing by an amateur or advanced golfer. The repetition, muscle memory and resistance all serve to improve the consistency of the swing of a golfer.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

None.

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

None.

BACKGROUND

Field of Invention and Prior Art

As far as known, there are no Special Golf Swing Training Aid devices or the like. It is believed that this product is unique in its design and technologies.

Background

Favorable golf practice requires close simulations to the actual techniques and equipment of the golfer. A perfected stroking procedure is an important technique as well as stance, foot positions relative to the ball, hand grip, etc. Use of “favorite” golf clubs is an important psychological factor in golf practice as well as the individual requirements associated with club handle, club shaft length, club heat shape, etc.

Performance of techniques such as putting, chipping and bump and run practices all involve stroking and retrieval of the ball. Retrieval by normal practice methods involves searching for a stroked ball, walking to it, picking it up and returning to the same or similar site for a repetitive stroke. This is a time consuming effort that does not enable close replication of practice strokes.

Golf training exercises are directed to establishing the most efficient utilization of the energy applied to a golf club so that the club is moved with optimum force in the desired direction to most effectively strike a golf ball. The several forces which are combined to move a golf club through its complete swing are developed in a golfer's body (including the golfer's legs), arms, and wrists. The ideal swing—that is, the movement of the golf club from the beginning of the “backswing” through the end of the “follow-through”—comprises a smooth blending of the various forces generated by the golfer and applied to the club to produce the maximum force obtainable in the club head in the desired direction at the time of impact of the club head with the ball. Any random force applied in directions which do not combine with properly directed forces to produce a maximum resultant force reduce the efficiency and effectiveness of a golfer's swing. The rocking and torsional movements provided by body action of a golfer are coordinated with his arm swing and wrist cocking and uncocking in such manner that the individual forces from each of these movements are applied to the golf club in the maximum cumulative degree possible to minimize the cancellation, in full or partially, of one force by another. The forces from the body action, the arm swing, and the wrist action preferably are all applied to the golf club in a common plane in which the handle and shaft of the club together move through the swing with the point of impact of the club head and the golf ball also lying in this plane. The resultant force with which the club head strikes the ball is preferably as near as practicable the sum of these individual forces. Obviously, random or transient forces applied from the body, arms, or wrists of the golfer to the handle of the club reduce the magnitude of the force being applied to the club head into the common plane and necessarily changes the direction and magnitude of the ultimate resultant force applied to the golf ball.

Prior Art List

The novelty search revealed a Golf practice device by Moffatt in 1978 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,113,257). It claims an improved golf practice device of the type in which a tethered hollow ball formed from a resilient material rotates about a horizontal axis when struck by a golf club head, with the hollow ball being permanently held in a fixed position on the free end portion of the cord to which it is secured, and the ball due to being diametrically compressed and the positioning of apertures therein emitting a sound when impacted by a golf club head that is similar to that when an actual golf ball is hit by a golf club head. It fails to show the embodiment of the present Tuttle invention. Next, a Golf practice Device is shown by Ban in U.S. Pat. No. 4,526,374. It claims a golf practicing device is described as being a golf ball which is tethered to a casting-type fishing reel which is attached to a portable bracket which, in turn, is detachably mounted adjacent the handgrip on the shaft of a golf club, such as a chipping iron or putter. A pair of eyelets are provided on the bracket opposite and, in line, with the fishing reel to guide the line from the reel as it pays out from the reel upon stroking or hitting the ball with the club head. Thus, after putting or hitting the ball, the player only need rewind the reel to return the ball for another practice shot. It also fails to show the embodiment of the present Tuttle invention. Further, a Golf club swing training method by Pollard as U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,673 reveals a golf swing training device comprises a pair of training sticks. Each training stick has a shaft, a weight, and a flexible cable connecting the shaft and the weight. The device is adapted to be utilized by a user grasping a different one of the shafts in each hand and swinging the training sticks in a prescribed pattern of exercise. In one embodiment, the shaft and the weight comprise about 74% and 22%, respectively, of the weight of the training stick, each training stick having a weight of at least 1500 gms. and a length less than about 58 cms. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,299 demonstrates a Ball striking club training and exercising device. This new device by Tuttle et al is not anticipated or shown in these prior art devices.

Problem Solved

The improvement and problem solved as to a golf swing device is a simple and compact device to permit amateurs and semi- or professional golfers to practice and improve their swing and swing motion in practically all environments—at home, at the office and on the road at hotels and practice venues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is a Special Golf Swing Training Aid device. Taught here are the ways to improve a golfer's swing through repetitive motions to increase muscle memory and smoothness of operation. The preferred embodiment of the Special Golf Swing Training Aid is comprised of: (a) a golf club grip 40; (b) an inner dowel shaft 41 for grip 40; (c) an insert in the dowel shaft; (d) a means 42 for retaining such as an insert; (e) a flexible cord, rope or the like 43 such as a parachute cord; (f) a means 44 for retaining cord 43 in shaft 41 such as a washer and knot in cord 43; (g) a spherical resistance device 45 such as a whiffle ball or the like wherein the device provides a training aid for a golfer to improve his normal golf swing, cadence, and timing rhythm throughout the golf swing using all of one's body parts, the leg movement, the arms, the wrists, everything when one swings through the stroke.

The newly invented Special Golf Swing Training Aid device for various applications may be manufactured at low volumes by very simple means and in high volume production by more complex and controlled systems.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

There are several objects and advantages of the Special Golf Swing Training Aid device. There are currently no known Special Golf Swing Training Aid devices that are effective at providing the objects of this invention.

The Special Golf Swing Training Aid device has various advantages and benefits:

Item Advantages 1 Promotes consistency of golf swing 2 Aids in exercising muscle groups used in golf swing 3 Compact and lightweight 4 Can be stored in in desk drawer, brief case, car console, etc. 5 Can be used anywhere, i.e. office, home, indoors or outdoors

Finally, other advantages and additional features of the present Special Golf Swing Training Aid device will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the full description of the device. For one skilled in the art of golf training aids and devices it is readily understood that the features shown in the examples with this product are readily adapted to other types of training systems and devices.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS—FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the Special Golf Swing Training Aid device for various applications that are preferred. The drawings together with the summary description given above and a detailed description given below serve to explain the principles of the Special Golf Swing Training Aid device. It is understood, however, that the Special Golf Swing Training Aid device is not limited to only the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGS. 1A through 1C are sketches of the general golf swing training aid, a prototype and a practicing golfer.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are sketches of the general golf swing training aid device and device prototype with components and features noted.

FIG. 3 are sketches of the individual components of the prototype golf swing training aid with the components and features shown from generally a top view.

FIGS. 4A through 4G are sketches of the person 70 and the use of the prototype golf swing training aid 30 in steps of operation.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

The following list refers to the drawing reference numbers:

Ref # Description 30 general golf swing training aid 30 31 prototype of golf swing training aid 31 40 golf club grip 40 consisting of a leather, a fabric, a plastic cloth and a composite material 41 inner dowel shaft 41 for grip 40 42 means 42 for retaining such as a nylon insert 43 flexible cord, rope or the like 43 such as a parachute cord 44 means 44 for retaining cord 43 in shaft 41 such as a washer and knot in cord 43 45 spherical resistance device 45 such as a whiffle ball or the like-the spherical resistance device is selected from a group consisting of a whiffle ball, a soft sponge ball, a stuffed fabric ball, a plastic cloth and a spherical device made of a composite material 70 golfer/person 70 practicing with swing aid 30

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present development is a Special Golf Swing Training Aid. This invention relates to an Improved Golf Practice Device usable for practice under replicated golfing conditions. This invention relates to a golf practice device with a retrievable tethered ball and which is usable for practice under replicated golfing conditions. The present invention relates to a sport training device, and more particularly to a golf swing training device and a method of using the same. The Special Golf Swing Training Aid is a readily made and available product to assist improvement of a swing by an amateur or advanced golfer.

The advantages for the Special Golf Swing Training Aid are listed above in the introduction. Succinctly the benefits are that the device:

-   -   A. Promotes consistency of golf swing     -   B. Aids in exercising muscle groups used in golf swing     -   C. Compact and lightweight     -   D. Can be stored in in desk drawer, brief case, car console,         etc.     -   E. Can be used anywhere, i.e. office, home, indoor or outdoors

The preferred embodiment of the Special Golf Swing Training Aid is comprised of: (a) a golf club grip 40; (b) an inner dowel shaft 41 for grip 40; (c) an insert in the dowel shaft; (d) a means 42 for retaining such as an insert; (e) a flexible cord, rope or the like 43 such as a parachute cord; (f) a means 44 for retaining cord 43 in shaft 41 such as a washer and knot in cord 43; (g) a spherical resistance device 45 such as a whiffle ball or the like wherein the device provides a training aid for a golfer to improve his normal golf swing, cadence, and timing rhythm throughout the golf swing using all of one's body parts, the leg movement, the arms, the wrists, everything when one swings through the stroke.

There is shown in FIGS. 1-4 a complete description and operative embodiment of the Special Golf Swing Training Aid 30. In the drawings and illustrations, one notes well that the FIGS. 1-4 demonstrate the general configuration and use of this product. The various example uses are in the operation and use section, below.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the Special Golf Swing Training Aid 30 that is preferred. The drawings together with the summary description given above and a detailed description given below serve to explain the principles of the Special Golf Swing Training Aid device 30. It is understood, however, that the Special Golf Swing Training Aid 30 is not limited to only the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. Other examples of a golf swing aid as devices and uses are still understood by one skilled in the art of golf training and swing aid devices and systems to be within the scope and spirit shown here.

FIGS. 1A through 1C are sketches of the general golf swing training aid, a prototype and a practicing golfer. Shown in these views include a general golf swing training aid 30; a prototype of golf swing training aid 31; a golf club grip 40; a means 42 for retaining such as a nylon insert; a flexible cord, rope or the like 43 such as a parachute cord; a spherical resistance device 45 such as a whiffle ball or the like—the spherical resistance device is selected from a group consisting of a whiffle ball, a soft sponge ball, a stuffed fabric ball, a plastic cloth and a spherical device made of a composite material; and a golfer/person 70 practicing with swing aid 30.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are sketches of the general golf swing training aid device and device prototype with components and features noted. Components and elements shown include a general golf swing training aid 30; a prototype of golf swing training aid 31; a golf club grip 40 consisting of a leather, a fabric, a plastic cloth and a composite material; a means 42 for retaining such as a nylon insert; a flexible cord, rope or the like 43 such as a parachute cord; a means 44 for retaining cord 43 in shaft 41 such as a washer and knot in cord 43; and a spherical resistance device 45 such as a whiffle ball or the like.

FIG. 3 are sketches of the individual components of the prototype 31 golf swing training aid with the components and features shown from generally a top view. Shown here are: the prototype of golf swing training aid 31; a golf club grip 40 consisting of a leather, a fabric, a plastic cloth and a composite material; a means 42 for retaining such as a nylon insert; a flexible cord, rope or the like 43 such as a parachute cord; a means 44 for retaining cord 43 in shaft 41 such as a washer and knot in cord 43; and a spherical resistance device 45 such as a whiffle ball or the like.

FIGS. 4A through 4G are sketches of the prototype golf swing training aid in steps of operation. These are discussed below in the operation section.

The details mentioned here are exemplary and not limiting. Other specific components and manners specific to describing a Special Golf Swing Training Aid device 30 may be added as a person having ordinary skill in the field of the art of golf, golf training aids and the like devices and their uses well appreciates.

OPERATION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The Special Golf Swing Training Aid 30 has been described in the above embodiment. The manner of how the device operates is described below. One notes well that the description above and the operation described here must be taken together to fully illustrate the concept of the Special Golf Swing Training Aid 30. The preferred embodiment of the Special Golf Swing Training Aid is comprised of: (a) golf club grip 40; (b) an inner dowel shaft 41 for grip 40; (c) an insert in the dowel shaft; (d) a means 42 for retaining such as an insert; (e) a flexible cord, rope or the like 43 such as a parachute cord; (f) a means 44 for retaining cord 43 in shaft 41 such as a washer and knot in cord 43; (g) a spherical resistance device 45 such as a whiffle ball or the like wherein the device provides a training aid for a golfer to improve his normal golf swing, cadence, and timing rhythm throughout the golf swing using all of one's body parts, the leg movement, the arms, the wrists, everything when one swings through the stroke.

Designed and created is this Special Golf Swing Training Aid 30. Its design together on the handle is very unique. It will not ever pull out. One skilled in the sport of golf knows golf is a game of timing, rhythm and muscle memory. So, this particular provides a training aid to support those needs. The device is made for use inside because it is particularly hot outside in some environments and this device targets a particular type of clientele for people that want to practice in their office complex or offices at break time. One can do that very easily. It is not a large apparatus; it is not big or cumbersome at all. This supports a normal golf swing, ones cadence, timing and rhythm throughout the golf swing. Once started a person gets a rhythm with this device and ball such that they should hit themselves in the armpit. As they swing further, using all one's body parts, the leg movement, the arms, the wrists, everything when one swings through the stroke. And if they have good timing and things are in sequence this should finish in the armpit for a complete swing.

The Special Golf Swing Training Aid 30 operates as follows and the steps include:

Step Description 4A Obtain the device 30 4B Address the ball position 4C Start into the Back swing with the device 30 4D Complete the back swing 4E Begin the forward swing with the device 30 4F Carry through with the forward swing 4G Complete the forward swing

Many uses and places for use are anticipated for the Special Golf Swing Training Aid 30. Some examples, and not limitations, are shown in the following Table.

ITEM DESCRIPTION 1 Inside a building 2 Office 3 Gym 4 Garage 5 At a golf course 6 In ones backyard

The device 30 helps with timing, rhythm, muscle memory, and cadence. It promotes a thorough swing throughout golf swing—armpit to armpit. All the main body elements are effected—leg movement, arms, wrists, and waist. It is helpful as a training for beginning golfers to experienced/professional golfers

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these inventions belong. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present inventions, the preferred methods and materials are now described. All patents and publications mentioned herein, including those cited in the Background of the application, are hereby incorporated by reference to disclose and described the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited.

The publications discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present inventions are not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.

Other embodiments of the invention are possible. Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.

Thus the scope of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly to be limited by nothing other than the appended claims, in which reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one or more.” All structural, chemical, and functional equivalents to the elements of the above-described preferred embodiment that are known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the present claims. Moreover, it is not necessary for a device or method to address each and every problem sought to be solved by the present invention, for it to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element, component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, or method step is explicitly recited in the claims.

The terms recited in the claims should be given their ordinary and customary meaning as determined by reference to relevant entries (e.g., definition of “plane” as a carpenter's tool would not be relevant to the use of the term “plane” when used to refer to an airplane, etc.) in dictionaries (e.g., widely used general reference dictionaries and/or relevant technical dictionaries), commonly understood meanings by those in the art, etc., with the understanding that the broadest meaning imparted by any one or combination of these sources should be given to the claim terms (e.g., two or more relevant dictionary entries should be combined to provide the broadest meaning of the combination of entries, etc.) subject only to the following exceptions: (a) if a term is used herein in a manner more expansive than its ordinary and customary meaning, the term should be given its ordinary and customary meaning plus the additional expansive meaning, or (b) if a term has been explicitly defined to have a different meaning by reciting the term followed by the phrase “as used herein shall mean” or similar language (e.g., “herein this term means,” “as defined herein,” “for the purposes of this disclosure [the term] shall mean,” etc.). References to specific examples, use of “i.e.,” use of the word “invention,” etc., are not meant to invoke exception (b) or otherwise restrict the scope of the recited claim terms. Other than situations where exception (b) applies, nothing contained herein should be considered a disclaimer or disavowal of claim scope. Accordingly, the subject matter recited in the claims is not coextensive with and should not be interpreted to be coextensive with any particular embodiment, feature, or combination of features shown herein. This is true even if only a single embodiment of the particular feature or combination of features is illustrated and described herein. Thus, the appended claims should be read to be given their broadest interpretation in view of the prior art and the ordinary meaning of the claim terms.

As used herein, spatial or directional terms, such as “left,” “right,” “front,” “back,” and the like, relate to the subject matter as it is shown in the drawing FIGS. However, it is to be understood that the subject matter described herein may assume various alternative orientations and, accordingly, such terms are not to be considered as limiting. Furthermore, as used herein (i.e., in the claims and the specification), articles such as “the,” “a,” and “an” can connote the singular or plural. Also, as used herein, the word “or” when used without a preceding “either” (or other similar language indicating that “or” is unequivocally meant to be exclusive—e.g., only one of x or y, etc.) shall be interpreted to be inclusive (e.g., “x or y” means one or both x or y). Likewise, as used herein, the term “and/or” shall also be interpreted to be inclusive (e.g., “x and/or y” means one or both x or y). In situations where “and/or” or “or” are used as a conjunction for a group of three or more items, the group should be interpreted to include one item alone, all of the items together, or any combination or number of the items. Moreover, terms used in the specification and claims such as have, having, include, and including should be construed to be synonymous with the terms comprise and comprising.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood as modified in all instances by the term “approximately.” At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term “approximately” should at least be construed in light of the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

With this description it is to be understood that the Special Golf Swing Training Aid 30 is not to be limited to only the disclosed embodiment of product. The features of the Special Golf Swing Training Aid device 30 are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the description.

The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims, as well as that of the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degrees of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A Special Golf Swing Training Aid 30 comprised of: (a) golf club grip 40; (b) an inner dowel shaft 41 for grip 40; (c) an insert in the dowel shaft; (d) a means 42 for retaining such as an insert; (e) a flexible cord, rope or the like 43 such as a parachute cord; (f) a means 44 for retaining cord 43 in shaft 41 such as a washer and knot in cord 43; (g) a spherical resistance device 45 such as a whiffle ball or the like wherein the device provides a training aid for a golfer to improve his/her normal golf swing, cadence, and timing rhythm throughout the golf swing using all of a golfing person's body parts, the leg movement, the arms, the wrists, everything when one swings through the stroke.
 2. The device in claim 1 wherein the grip is selected from a group consisting of a leather, a fabric, a plastic cloth and a composite material.
 3. The device in claim 1 wherein the spherical resistance device is selected from a group consisting of a whiffle ball, a soft sponge ball, a stuffed fabric ball, a plastic cloth and a spherical device made of a composite material. 